Packaging assistance system

ABSTRACT

A system grid-like guidance device for packing goods in a case for shipping purposes is mounted to the open-topped case, providing cells to guide the emptied ‘return’ containers to the case floor. The case being filled, the device is removed, and the case can be inventoried and shipped. The several embodiments are fully or partially inserted into the case, forming a set of guidance cells to receive empty containers, such as bottles. One embodiment has a series of thin guidance elements extending within the box between the inserted containers. A third embodiment, has the grid of guidance members extending upwardly above the box top, to facilitate filling. Handle means are provided.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable (N/A)

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

N/A

REFERENCE TO MICROFICHE APPENDIX

N/A

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention is directed to a system for packing goods within a container, and in particular to a system for positioning bottles of predetermined size within a container, and to a removable positioning device for use with a container, to control the position of goods, such as bottles when inserted into a return case.

2. In the hospitality industry, such as bars, restaurants, hotels etc, where large quantities of bottled drinks are served rapidly, problems arise in the orderly disposal of the emptied bottles.

Frequent use is made of empty boxes in which to package the bottles, which are usually of a standard size. However, under typical working conditions, when servers are pressed for time, the orderly return of bottles to their cases is too time consuming, and a mass of uncrated empty bottles frequently arises.

In commercial practice, unlike the retailing of beer within cases having cardboard dividers that separate the case into a plurality of cells, the commercial product is usually shipped in divider-less cases, so that empty bottles readily become disordered as they accumulate in the case, and require to be re-arranged, for purposes of inventory checking, and safe shipping.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a system for packing goods of predetermined shape and size within a containment box or ‘case’, for shipping purposes. Prior to returning emptied containers to a case of the type and size in which the containers were supplied, a guidance device is placed inside the empty case, forming the requisite, predetermined number of cells by which to guide the emptied ‘return’ containers onto the floor of the case. Upon completing the filling of the case, the guidance device is removed.

It is usual practice to fold the flaps of the case inside the case, prior to commencing the filling operation.

In a first embodiment, the guidance device is inserted within the case so as to rest on the floor of the case, to provide a set of cells, in combination with the box walls, into which the containers, such as empty bottles are deposited.

In a second embodiment, intended for use where clearance tolerances are unduly tight within the packed case, and the containers being packed are cylindrical, a series of supplementary guidance elements extend within the case. These supplementary guidance elements may be of restricted plan-form, so as not to infringe upon the active loading area of the case floor, which is required for the containers. In this embodiment there is a grid of guidance elements from which the supplementary elements depend. This grid is located primarily above the top of the case, with portions of some of the grid members extending into the case, in order to locate the grid in centered relation with the case

In a third embodiment, the grid of guidance members extends upwardly well above the case top, to better facilitate insertion of the containers into the ‘cells’ of the guidance device.

These embodiments may be provided with handle means, to facilitate their ready application to, and subsequent removal from the box/carton when that is loaded.

The handle means may comprise a ‘hoop’ handle extending above the grid, and projecting well above the top of the case, so as to prevent the placing of another case on top of the guidance device.

The handle may comprise apertures or grippable portions of some of the grid members.

Thus there is provided a guidance device for use with a containment box or case of predetermined plan-form and size, the guidance device having downwardly extending guidance elements extending at least partially within the case, and defining with the interior wall surfaces of the case a plurality of mutually adjacent cells, to receive the downward insertion of goods of predetermined shape and size within the cells.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

Certain embodiments of the invention are described by way of illustration, without limitation thereto other than as set forth in the accompanying claims, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a guidance device in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the guidance elements of the FIG. 1 embodiment;

FIG. 3 is an end elevation of the FIG. 1 embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a side elevation of the longitudinal central grid member of the FIG. 1 embodiment;

FIG. 4A is a scrap detail of a grid plate retention arrangement for the subject grid;

FIG. 5 is a side elevation of a lateral grid member of the FIG. 1 embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a side elevation of one of the two other longitudinal grid members;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a second embodiment guidance device in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 8 is a front perspective view of a four-lobe guidance element of the second embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 9 is a section taken at 9-9 of FIG. 8: and

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the subject invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

It will of course be understood that the present invention has been described above purely by way of example, and modifications of detail can be made within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Referring to FIG. 1, a first embodiment 10 of a guidance device in accordance with the invention is shown in relation to a return case 12, outlined in phantom. The case 12 has both of its side flaps 14 and both end flaps 16 turned in (two only being indicated, for purposes of clarity). FIG. 2 shows the rectangular grid, and a handle 182.

The guidance device 10 has a central longitudinal plate 18 (see also FIG. 4), with five slots 181 extending half-way down its depth, and a handle 182 which, in use, projects above the top of the case 12, so as to preclude accidental loss of the device 10 by the placing of a second such case upon the case 12, so as to conceal the device 10.

The slots 181 may have a locking tooth 181′ (see FIG. 4A) as a plate retention device

Referring to FIG. 3, each of the five lateral plates 20 of the device 10 (see also FIG. 5) are mounted to the respective five slots 181 of plate 18, by way of an upwardly extending slot 201, such that the plates 18 and 20 are essentially interdigitated.

The two other longitudinal plates 19 and 21 are carried by the lateral plates 20, being mounted thereto (see also FIG. 6) by way of upwardly extending slots 191, so as to be interdigitated with the lateral plates 20, which have downward extending slots 202.

Thus, the plate elements of the guidance device 10 are assembled in mutual dependence to the plate 18, and hence, are carried in fully supported relation by the handle 182.

With reference to FIG. 1, it will be observed that the plates 18, 19, 20 and 21 all extend upwardly from the bottom of the case 12 so as to overlap the inturned flaps 14, 16 of the case 12, to thereby avoid any jamming interference with these members when the device 10 is withdrawn.

As an alternative to the tooth provisions 181′ (FIG. 4A), the interdigitated plate members 18, 19, 20, 21 forming the grid may have an interference fit, to retain their assembled condition, or they may be be glued or welded at some of their junctures, to prevent any accidental dislodgement from their assembled relation.

FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 relate to a second embodiment 24 wherein the members of the grid 26 are assembled in the same manner as for the first embodiment 10. Threaded down over the junctures of grid 26 are four-lobed guides 28 (see FIGS. 8 and 9), which extend to the bottom of the case, when is use. When used for purposes of loading empty cylindrical containers, usually in the form of return-bottles such as empty beer or wine bottles, the arcuate section of the lobes 30 adjoin the space required for the inserted containers.

In the case of the second embodiments 24 when intended for use in loading heavier, filled bottles, it is contemplated that the arcuate outer surface 301 of the lobes 30 may be coated with a friction-imparting rubber or plastic coating (not shown), and may be backed up by a plastic core (illustrated in phantom as a dotted cylinder in FIG. 9) extending downwardly between the four lobes 30, to collectively stiffen them and to serve as a spring that urges the lobes 30 apart from each other and into frictional contact with the sides of the descending bottle, to control its descent down into the case.

In the case of empty bottles such as beer bottles, their self weight, and strength are such that they can usually be released upon entry into the guidance grid, and permitted to fall freely onto the cardboard bottom of the case, without any fear of breakage.

The side and lower edges of the grid plates of the second embodiment device 24 are sized so as to engage the top surfaces of the case (shown chain-dotted in FIG. 7), to position the device 24 in precise registry with the open top of the case, so that the lobes 30 extend for substantially the full depth of the case. A pair of finger holes 32 serve as handles for the device 24, the grid portion 26 being primarily located above the top edge of the box, to thereby preclude the likelihood of another case being carelessly placed upon the device 24.

Turning to the FIG. 10 embodiment, the grid plates 38, 39, 40 and 41 of the device 36 are mutually secured by interdigitation in the same fashion as the grid plates 18, 19, 20 and 21 of the first embodiment 10, being significantly taller so as to extend well above the top edge of the case, for purposes of minimizing the time and effort required in returning the ‘empties’ to the case. The upward extent of the device 36 is limited by the cushioning effect provided by the cases in use, and by the strength of the bottles being returned. The frictional guidance elements disclosed above with relation to the FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 second embodiment may be incorporated into the FIG. 10 ‘raised’ embodiment, to enable safe release of containers, such as empty bottles when entered into the guidance grid.

This device 36 is also of use in instances where the flaps of the case are not folded inside the case. 

1. A guidance system to facilitate the loading of containers of predetermined characteristics of weight, size and shape into a case of predetermined size, said system including a loading device comprising a grid of guidance members for entry into said case; and extending downwardly within said case and forming, in combination with the members of said case a plurality of cells in mutually adjacent relation to receive said containers in predetermined mutually arranged standing relation on the bottom of said case, said guidance members including a first grid member having upstanding handle means, for upward displacement of said first grid member, the remaining said members of said grid depending in supported relation from said first grid member, whereby the container contents of said case may be readily inventoried, and the case may be readily packed to its predetermined capacity, for purposes of transit, and said grid may be withdrawn upwardly in an intact condition from said case, by way of said handle.
 2. The loading device as set forth in claim 1, wherein in use said grid is located on the bottom of said case.
 3. The loading device as set forth in claim 2, said device upwardly extending handle being of sufficient height to project significantly above the top of said case, to preclude mishandling of the device.
 4. The loading device as set forth in claim 2, wherein the top edges of said grid members, with said device inserted within said case, extend above the bottom edges of the cover flaps of said case, when said flaps are in a turned-in condition, to enable substantially unhindered withdrawal of said device from said case.
 5. The loading device as set forth in claim 1, said grid of guidance members fitting upon and extending downwardly within the top of said case; a plurality of elongated slender guide members extending downwardly within said case from said grid guidance member, to maintain said containers when inserted into said cells in substantial alignment with the cells.
 6. The loading device as set forth in claim 5, wherein said slender guide members consist of a plurality of four-lobed guides which extend downwardly from the grid junctures of said guidance members towards the bottom of said case.
 7. The loading device as set forth in claim 5, wherein said four-lobed guides have an arcuate cross-section in substantial conformity with a surface portion of said containers.
 8. The loading device as set forth in claim 1, said grid of guidance members exceeding in height the height of said case when the flaps of the case are folded into the case, whereby said containers may be loaded into said cells at a location above the height of the case, for release into the case.
 9. A guidance system to facilitate the loading of containers of predetermined characteristics of weight, size and shape into a case of predetermined size, said system including a loading device in combination with an empty case, said loading device comprising a grid of guidance members for entry into said case; and extending downwardly within said case and forming, in combination with the members of said case a plurality of cells in mutually adjacent relation to receive said containers in predetermined mutually arranged standing relation on the bottom of said case, said guidance members including a first grid member having upstanding handle means, for upward displacement of said first grid member, the remaining said members of said grid depending in supported relation from said first grid member, whereby the container contents of said case may be readily inventoried, and the case may be readily packed to its predetermined capacity, for purposes of transit, and said grid may be withdrawn upwardly in an intact condition from said case, by way of said handle.
 10. The combination as set forth in claim 9, wherein said loading device handle extends above the top of said case, to facilitate handling of the device, and to impede the placement of another case over the loading device and said case.
 11. The combination as set forth in claim 9, wherein said loading device grid of guidance members extends above the top of said case, to facilitate the entry of said containers into said device and said case.
 12. The combination as set forth in claim 9, said grid of guidance members being located primarily on the top of said case, with a plurality of elongated guide means extending downwardly from said grid of guidance members.
 13. A guidance device for use in the placement of cylindrical containers, said device having a plurality of substantially rectangular plates secured in mutually supporting relation to form a rectangular grid; said grid having an elongated first plate, said plate having a plurality of narrow recesses in mutually spaced relation along its length extending downwardly from its upper edge; a plurality of second plates extending transversely of said first plate, being entered in said narrow recesses in supported relation therewith; said second plates each having at least two narrow recesses in mutually spaced relation extending downwardly from its upper edge; and at least two elongated third plates extending substantially parallel with said first plate, inserted within said at least two narrow recesses of said second plates in supported relation therewith, whereby said device may be positioned and removed in intact, assembled relation solely by displacement of said first plate.
 14. The device as set forth in claim 13, said second and third plates having upwardly extending recesses in mating relation with said downwardly extending recesses, whereby said first, said second and said third plates are mutually interdigitated at their respective planes of mutual intersection.
 15. The device as set forth in claim 13, having handle means extending upwardly from said first plate.
 16. The device as set forth in claim 13, having fingerhold recesses in said first plate.
 17. The device as set forth in claim 13, said plates including retention means, to secure said plates in mutually secured, assembled relation. 